Chapter 67: Patrol

"You must be joking, Miss Huang."

"I’ve always had a soft spot for beautiful women."

Han Yuan shook his head and smiled.

"I wouldn’t be so sure about that."

"I just accepted a mission, so I’ll be on my way."

Huang Xian’Er departed with an enigmatic smile.

Han Yuan continued toward Dust Hall, his mind replaying Huang Xian’Er’s words.

He didn’t think it was a coincidence that she had just mentioned the Bai Family.

It was more like an intentional reminder that the Bai Family might make a move on him over the matter with Bai Hao.

’Looks like Huang Xian’Er has heard something.’

’Her warning was likely an attempt to build some goodwill with me.’

Han Yuan mused.

For one, he had no conflict with the Huang Family; for another, he was young and highly talented.

It was only normal that Huang Xian’Er would want to befriend him.

Besides, the Five Great Noble Families were never of one mind; they were always scheming against each other.

’But this is good, too... I haven’t had a real fight since my breakthrough.’

’All this power with no outlet... It’s really starting to frustrate me.’

Han Yuan grinned.

Soon, he entered Dust Hall.

After some searching, he found a rather suitable mission.

Night patrol.

Recently, many notorious bandits from the Martial World had appeared in Cangshui County, committing one crime after another. With the growing chaos, the Government Office had no choice but to seek help from the Observatory.

Patrolling every night with men from the Government Office would earn twenty Contribution Points.

If any wanted criminals were caught, additional Contribution Points would be awarded.

Naturally, Han Yuan couldn’t be bothered with a mere twenty Contribution Points.

He just wanted to give his opponents an opportunity.

Besides, the mission was within the city. If his enemies sent someone too powerful for him to handle, he just had to cause a commotion, and his safety would be guaranteed.

Going out into the wilderness would be truly dangerous.

Shortly after Han Yuan accepted the night patrol mission at the counter and left Dust Hall, a figure also departed quietly.

....

「Bai Mansion, Main Hall.」

"That brat, he’s finally decided to show his face!"

Bai Muxin’s eyes turned sinister as he listened to Bai Qi’s report.

"Han Yuan accepted a night patrol mission from the Government Office. He’ll start tonight."

"As long as we know his patrol route, we can ensure that brat dies without a proper burial."

A vicious look crossed Bai Qi’s face as well.

A month ago, Han Yuan had called him a bitch in front of so many people, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

If it weren’t so inconvenient for him to act, he would have killed the brat with his own hands.

"Du Qiuxu came to our door and warned us before."

"So the Bai Family cannot be the ones to make a move this time."

"However, I’ve already secretly sent someone to the Black Market to contact the Tattooed Monk, Yan Xuan. He will make the move tonight. We can’t let Du Qiuxu find any evidence against us."

Bai Muxin said coldly.

As long as there was no evidence, given the Bai Family’s influence in Cangshui County, there was nothing Du Qiuxu could say.

"Mm."

"That brat is courting death... giving us such a perfect opportunity."

"Patrolling in the middle of the night, he encounters a vicious criminal from the Black List. The two clash, and Han Yuan, being no match, is slain."

Bai Qi had already scripted Han Yuan’s entire death report.

In his eyes, Han Yuan was as good as dead tonight.

"Mm... you should return to the Observatory first. Don’t give anyone a reason to talk."

"I’ll arrange the rest."

Bai Muxin instructed.

Bai Qi also knew he couldn’t stay long. He put on his Conical Hat and slipped out quietly through the Bai Mansion’s back door.

Bai Muxin sat alone in the main hall, his eyes cold. He muttered to himself, "A nobody from the sticks... so what if your talent is high? If I want to crush you, I’ll crush you!"

.....

「Dusk.」

Han Yuan, dressed in his Piyao Robe, left the Observatory. After crossing four or five major streets, he finally arrived before the Government Office.

This Government Office was naturally far more impressive than his Qingshui County Yamen, with dedicated Government Officials guarding its main gate.

However, when the guarding Government Officials saw Han Yuan’s Piyao Robe, one approached with a reverent expression and asked, "Sir, are you here about the night patrol?"

"I am," Han Yuan nodded.

"Then please follow me, Sir." The Government Official hurriedly led the way.

Soon, Han Yuan met a burly Chief Constable inside the Government Office.

The two of them naturally introduced themselves.

Han Yuan then learned the man’s name was Liu An.

In the structure of the County Government Office, there were four Chief Constables and one head Chief Constable.

This Liu An was one of the four Chief Constables.

He quickly called over several Government Officials.

"Brother Han, just patrol with them tonight."

"They know the specific route."

Liu An said softly.

"That’ll do."

Han Yuan didn’t waste any words.

He waited at the Government Office a while longer. After the sky grew completely dark, Han Yuan led four Government Officials out to patrol the streets of Cangshui County.

Along the way, Han Yuan had a wily old veteran named Lü San lead the way.

"Master Han, the areas we’re patrolling tonight are all rather chaotic places."

"So we’re counting on you to keep all the ghouls and goblins in line."

Lü San said with a fawning smile.

"When I first arrived in Cangshui County, I thought the public order was pretty good."

"I didn’t expect there to be chaotic places like this."

Han Yuan said, surprised.

"After all, this is where the common folk live... so the environment is naturally a bit worse."

"If you were over in the Inner City, the public order is of course much better."

Lü San explained.

Han Yuan was lost in thought.

When he was staying at the inn before, he had heard about the distinction between the Inner City and the outer city.

The so-called Inner City was actually the most central area of Cangshui County Town.

It was where most of the powerful officials, wealthy merchants, and Noble Families lived, and it was also the most prosperous part of Cangshui County Town.

The areas extending out from the Inner City to the south, east, north, and west were what the common people called the outer city.

The moonlight was poor tonight, and the streets were even darker.

Han Yuan and his men patrolled leisurely, carrying lanterns.

Occasionally, they would run into some gang members on the streets.

But when they saw the Piyao Robe Han Yuan was wearing, they naturally didn’t dare cause any trouble.

In Cangshui County Town, no one wanted to provoke a Demon Exterminator from the Observatory.

Because those who could become Demon Exterminators either had powerful backing or were ruthless and immensely strong.

Or possibly both.

The patrol was relatively peaceful.

Just as they turned into a dark street,

they suddenly encountered a middle-aged man with a hurried expression.

Han Yuan, however, directly blocked his path.

"Sir... is something the matter?"

The man hadn’t expected to suddenly run into Han Yuan’s group, and his expression was somewhat fearful.

"Nothing much."

"Just wanted to ask, how was your haul tonight?"

Han Yuan asked with a smile.

"You jest, Sir... What haul could I have?"

"I was just thinking of heading to the gambling den for a few rounds."

The middle-aged man said with a sheepish laugh.

"Is that so... Then what’s that... you’re hiding in your sleeve?"

Han Yuan asked.

The man’s expression changed drastically. He suddenly pulled out a dagger and viciously stabbed at Han Yuan’s abdomen.

BANG!

The dagger hadn’t even found its mark

when Han Yuan threw a savage iron elbow strike, smashing it into the man’s face.

His strength was now far too terrifying.

CRUNCH!

The man’s cervical vertebrae, along with flesh and blood, instantly exploded.

His entire head, a mangled mess of gore, went flying.